PSALM 84:1-4How lovely is Your dwelling place,Lord Almighty!My soul yearns, even faints,for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh cry outfor the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,where she may have her young— a place near Your altar,Lord Almighty, my King and my God.Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You.

PSALM 84:5-9Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts

are set on pilgrimage.As they pass through the Valley of Baka,they make it a place

of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,till each appears before God in Zion.Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;listen to me, God of Jacob.Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on Your anointed one.

PSALM 84:10-12Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere;I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Godthan dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;the Lord bestows favor and honor;no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.Lord Almighty,blessed is the one who trusts in You.

WHAT IS “BLESSING?”The projection of God’s goodnessinto our lives…

WHAT IS “BLESSING?”The projection of God’s goodnessinto our lives…

HOW DOES GOD BLESS?Often through the means of gracewe know as “spiritual disciplines”or “soul-training exercises” or“spiritual training practices” wherewe can receive what He’s giving…

SPIRITUAL TRAININGArranging our life around thosepractices that enable/empowerus to do what we cannot do nowby our own direct effort.

The goal = being enabled orempowered to do the right thing,at the right time, in the right spirit(CHARACTER + COMPETENCY)

WHAT BLOCKS IT?Typically…sin, either in ourown lives, or in the lives of others

WHAT BLOCKS IT?Typically…sin, either in ourown lives, or in the lives of others

HOW DO WE WIN?Typically…through indirect effort,where we establish new practicesthat form new habits & put us into position to receive the graceGod wants to pour out

JOHN ORTBERG“Habits eat willpower for breakfast.”

SINS & STRATEGIESSINS of COMMISSIONThings we DO, but shouldn’t,because our spiritual “not-doing” muscle is weak…

SINS & STRATEGIESSINS of COMMISSIONThings we DO, but shouldn’t,because our spiritual “not-doing” muscle is weak…

SINS of OMISSIONThings we DON’T do, but should,because our spiritual “doing” muscle is weak

SINS & STRATEGIESSTRATEGY of ABSTINENCEThings we voluntarily chooseNOT TO DO, to strengthen ourspiritual “not-doing” muscle

SINS & STRATEGIESSTRATEGY of ABSTINENCEThings we voluntarily chooseNOT TO DO, to strengthen ourspiritual “not-doing” muscle

STRATEGY of ENGAGEMENTThings we voluntarily chooseTO DO, to strengthen ourspiritual “doing” muscle

SINS & STRATEGIESSINS of COMMISSION- Gluttony- Pornography- Drunkenness- Gossip

SINS & STRATEGIESSINS of COMMISSION- Gluttony- Pornography- Drunkenness- Gossip

STRATEGIES of ABSTINENCE- Fasting- Silence- Solitude

To strengthen our “not doing” muscle

SINS & STRATEGIESSINS of OMISSION- Lack of gratitude- Not helping when you could- Refusing to be generous

SINS & STRATEGIESSINS of OMISSION- Lack of gratitude- Not helping when you could- Refusing to be generous

STRATEGIES of ENGAGEMENT- Worship- Serving- Giving

To strengthen our “doing” muscle

PSALM 84:1-4How lovely is Your dwelling place,Lord Almighty!My soul yearns, even faints,for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh cry outfor the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,where she may have her young— a place near Your altar,Lord Almighty, my King and my God.Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You.

PSALM 84:5-9Blessed are those whose strength is

in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.As they pass through the Valley of Baka,they make it a place

of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,till each appears before God in Zion.Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;listen to me, God of Jacob.Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on Your anointed one.

PSALM 84:10-12Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere;I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Godthan dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;the Lord bestows favor and honor;no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.Lord Almighty,blessed is the one who trusts in You.